The Washington critic., 1887-12-22
RICHARD II. SYLVESTER ......... .Edito
WASHINGTON, DEC. %, 1857.
1.-THE CONGRESSIONAL RECORD"

THE CONGRESSIONAL RECORD"
Our evening contemporary, referring
to the annual discussion that takes
plnce at the Capitol about this time of
year in regard to suspending the publi-
cation of the Congressional Record as II
measure of economy, expresses the
opinion that such action is not advis-
able and that the object should be not
to "get rid Of public record" like this,
but to make it better. In its general
view the Cnirrc concurs with the Star,
but as to how it shall be mado better we
differ.
To reduce tho Record 10 four or five
pages, containing nothing but the titles
Of bills and the action had thereon,
might render it of some convenience for
reference, but the proper course would
be to convert it into publication of
value and utility TO the general public,
as well us TO Members, and, in order to
do this, it should be judiciously edited,
presenting fair summary Of the trans
actions of each day, with the debates
left out, excepting it might be upon
some question of paramount importance,
and with no set speeches, other than
such as Members chose to pay for,
printed as q supplement.
As the mere titles of bills in many
cases convey no Ineligible idea of the
nature of the bills themselves, the daily
summary should give an explanatory
synopsis of all important measures and
the full context of such US possess
an urgent national interest, like tine
tariff bill and others in which the peo-
pie at large have direct and general con-
cern.
Were the Congressional Record con-
Quoted upon this plan. making it good
deal more than mere memorandum of
proceedings and good deal different
from what It is now in the matter of
stenographic reports, 1t would gain in
time popular circulation that would
aid materially in defraying its cost.
In its present shape it is more or less
entertaining to those who have the leis.
ure for its perusal, but fails to convey the
information that the public desires. II
should be conducted upon an entirely
different plan in order to make it clear,
succinct and instructive record.
TIE REPORT OF DR.. Townshend, the
health officer OF the District. for the
week ending Dec. IL, speaks in the
strongest possible terms for the health
fulness Of the National Capital and the
general excellence of its sanitary con
ditions. There is no other city in the
country Of similar size which can show
such small percentage Of mortality. A
this season Of the year it is indeed re
markablc that the rate per 1000 citizens
should be so low as II per cent, ant
that between the ages Of and 90 years
there should he but twenty-six deaths
One would scarcely suppose from thes,
figures, out of population rapidly ap
preaching 25O, 900, that Washington wa
seriously suffering from impure waite
and malarial atmosphere!
DR. JOHN HALL of New York is at
tempting TO destroy the Santa Clau
myth. The Doctor, we should thinl,
could earn his salary at better task.
The FLAGS OF THE CApIToL are at hall
mast to-day on account of the death Q
Hon. Seth e. AIofiat, a Member of tn
House from the Eleventh Michigan dis
irict. He was man of high characte
and one oil the most en.erprising an
successful citizens OF the State, where h
was born and had always resided.
THE Rev. DIX. AIcGLYNS is hurtin
himself great deal more than tn
Church hurt him.
SECRETARY WHITNEY has sent the I
&. man-of-war Enterprise out upon th
bi.lowy Atlantic in search OF the grea
raft, which is somewhere tossing o
the vasty deep, to the imminent peril 9
all vessels plowing the main We con-
mend the Secretary for his promptnes
in thus coming to the rescue, and W
earnestly hope tho good ships misso
will be successful, but we cannot forg,
the fate Of the Tallapoosa, and CRU,
some fear has laid its clammy han
upon our souls. Is the Secretary quiz
sure he had plenty of life preservers pu
on the Enterprise in conspicuous an
convenient places?
We CALL THE ATTENTION OF tn
Woman's Christian Temperance Unio
TO the fact that the Pope has receive
$4,000 bottles of champagne for his jub
lee.
Is THE GAME OF POLITICS It is possibl
that the Republican clubs recently i
New York's hand will be covered b
Democratic spades in 1888. Such thing
have happened, and not longer ago tha
four years.
The RECEPTION THAT Boston is gettin
ready for Professor John L. Sulliva
promises to make the celebration of tn
400th anniversary Of the discovery q
America sounding brass and tinb
ling cymbal.
IT is TRUE AS REPORTED that the Prime
Of Wales was recently shot in the nos
while hunting, and il caused considers
ble alarm, inasmuch US heretofore Iii